Humans killed me once. Then you must overcome. I guess it's my destiny now.

　The worst manifestation of death, Drigman the Controller, said, turning and facing away from the throne. In the face of this seemingly innocent face, Richard reflexively held up his black sword.

　The sound of metal scraping, unbecoming of a throne, echoed through the sky.

　Richard understood. The strange form in front of him, a mere man with an overwhelming presence. This is what it means to be a demon. Even without being told, every nerve in his body felt it.

　Richard twisted his numb pinky finger tightly around the hilt and signaled the soldiers behind him with just a glance. In the face of this, it seemed pointless to ask for help in numbers. Then it's better to let the soldiers do something else.

　The soldiers nodded and took a few steps back. Instead, Richard looked ahead. At that point, he noticed that the alarm bells that had been ringing inside his skull had stopped ringing.

　Maybe it's too late, his instincts are telling him. Richard's face wrinkled, and he took a step forward. The demon's viscous gaze burned his entire body.

You set King's Landing on fire, didn't you? You've taken a terrible step. I'm surprised.

　The demon said without any emotion. Even though he said those words, there was no emotion in them. It was as if he was wearing a mask.

　Richard opened his mouth and said as if it were natural. He chewed on each word.

"To kill a terrible disease, you have to take terrible measures. No matter how rough the treatment.

　Richard took another step closer. He held a black sword in his hand and shook his beard. With each step closer, the miasma bit into the old man. It was as if the air had become a heavy liquid.

I'm surprised at you. What kind of name is that, Master? I thought you would have run off with the hexenbiests before they attacked.

　Are you prepared to throw your life away waiting alone? So you're ready to throw your life away? Richard bent his knees slightly.

　A hunch stroked his cheek, telling him this was as far as he could go.

　He was still a long way from the witch. But still. He's already got a blade at his throat. With a chill on his neck, Richard snapped his wrist.

　Raising his arm lightly, right palm outstretched, Drigman said.

It's funny you should say that. Why should I have to sneak around with a human? Would you ever abandon your home in the face of a winged insect?

　As soon as he finished, Drigman's outstretched palm closed. As soon as he sees it, Richard kicks the floor hard. He leapt forward to the right, almost throwing his body.

　Instantly, there was a sound. A very, very nasty sound. The kind of crunching sound you'd expect if you were forcing an object to bite down.

　Richard looked at it sideways. The place he'd been on his feet just moments before was twisting, space and all. The floor stone shattered and the sky screamed in agony.

　Fragments of the crumbling floorstone gouged out my cheek, creating a gash. Without wiping away the dripping blood, Richard hit the floor again with his foot. He stumbled once, but forced himself to regain his footing.

　There was no time to pause, not even for a second. This time, he ran forward, not to avoid, but to slay his enemy. The miasma that crawled across his skin became more and more concentrated.

　While this was happening, the image of a white girl appeared in Richard's mind. A mixture of demons. An unidentifiable demon. Regret crawled through Richard's chest.

　I knew I should have killed her no matter what Lugis said. The words tumbled out of his brain unconsciously.

　The girl spoke. The root and source of Drigman the Controller is neither the work of blessing nor the power to trample death as long as it stands on the earth. They were all bestowed upon him by the spirit god Zebraeliris. He has only one source.

　--Control is his proof of existence. He's got a lot on his mind. A past he couldn't grasp. So it controls the distance and grabs everything.

　The words were true. The monster in front of you is an overwhelming threat that uses its palm to grip space itself.

　That's why we should've killed that kid. Richard thinks so.



　No matter what kind of person or demon you are, the fact that your information is out there is a great weakness. It is the same as when a hexenbiest, who was supposed to be immune to humans, was driven away by humans because they knew its nature.

　The fact that they are unknown is enough of an advantage. If one's armor, habits, and swordsmanship are known, no matter how strong one is, it will be difficult for him to gain victory.

　That's why the more powerful demons try to hide their nature. They would devour any witnesses and stay out of the public eye as much as possible. They know it's for the best.

　Especially when it's a monster like a demon. And yet, the white girl knows her rights. That means she was very close to this demon. She was an enemy of the human species.

　It left me with regrets. Such thoughts flashed through Richard's mind for a moment.

　But Drigman's left palm was aimed at Richard's body, as if he didn't want to allow even a trace of regret. It was a clear indication of death.

　Should I avoid it? No, the time is near. There's no time for hesitation.

　The black sword feeds on its own gravity and cleaves the sky. The tip of the sword drew a beautiful ellipse and bit into Drigman's left wrist.

　If you want to grab even the distance, just bounce the hand itself. The black blade sliced boldly into the flesh. Blood splattered in the air.

　And that was it. The black sword didn't gouge out Drigman's flesh or break his bones.

　Richard's eyes widened reflexively. It was a swing that would have cut him in half, even if he had a basket handle. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　But now the black sword, while biting into Drigman's left wrist, only made him spit out a little blood. The sharpness that should have torn through flesh and blood, the impact that crushed the flesh and bone, all died there.

　So unnatural. Richard's movements stopped for a moment at the realization that the impossible was possible. A moment later, he heard it.

You're a brave man, aren't you? It's been so long since I've been hurt by a mere mortal that I can't even remember.

　It's been a long time since I've been hurt by a mere mortal." Hearing those simple words, I thought. Richard had heard that demons were a species that humans could not resist.

　The very nature of existence is different. No matter how great the man in the book, he cannot harm those who read it. How can you hurt someone of a different rank?

　So, if you want to kill a demon. He must also become a demon. I heard those words somewhere.

　Richard exhaled and stopped dead in his tracks. Drigman watched in admiration as his strength slowly drained from his body.

　He could feel the difference between him and his opponent, and that was all that mattered. Therefore, he relaxed his body in preparation for death.

　How rare is that for a human being? Most people are filthy in every way. Very few are this clean.

　Drigman tilted his open palm and aimed at the nearest skull. Drigman understands that the greatest pity is to kill it in an instant.

　The moment the relaxation of pity ran through Drigman's body.

　--Kuroness flew through the air. The inverted iron mass bites into Drigman's skull with a sharpness that seems like lightning.

　The impact was slow. But it was certainly much more solid than the previous blow. Richard looked as if he was biting down on a bitter bug.

"You're reminding me of something I don't like, man. It's been a long time since I've done any heroic deeds. I'll kill every last one of you.

　I'll kill every last one of you." The brave man, as he was once called, said as he wielded the black.